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Aiello EN, Pucci V, Diana L, Corvaglia A, Niang A, Mattiello S, Preti AN, Durante G, Ravelli A, Consonni L, Guerra C, Ponti AD, Sangalli G, Difonzo T, Scarano S, Perucca L, Zago S, Appollonio I, Mondini S, Bolognini N. The Telephone Language Screener (TLS): standardization of a novel telephone-based screening test for language impairment. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:1989-2001. [PMID: 38010584 PMCID: PMC11021315 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-07149-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed at developing and standardizing the Telephone Language Screener (TLS), a novel, disease-nonspecific, telephone-based screening test for language disorders. METHODS The TLS was developed in strict pursuance to the current psycholinguistic standards. It comprises nine tasks assessing phonological, lexical-semantic and morpho-syntactic components, as well as an extra Backward Digit Span task. The TLS was administered to 480 healthy participants (HPs), along with the Telephone-based Semantic Verbal Fluency (t-SVF) test and a Telephone-based Composite Language Index (TBCLI), as well as to 37 cerebrovascular/neurodegenerative patients-who also underwent the language subscale of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-L). An HP subsample was also administered an in-person language battery. Construct validity, factorial structure, internal consistency, test-retest and inter-rater reliability were tested. Norms were derived via Equivalent Scores. The capability of the TLS to discriminate patients from HPs and to identify, among the patient cohort, those with a defective TICS-L, was also examined. RESULTS The TLS was underpinned by a mono-component structure and converged with the t-SVF (p < .001), the TBCLI (p < .001) and the in-person language battery (p = .002). It was internally consistent (McDonald's ω = 0.67) and reliable between raters (ICC = 0.99) and at retest (ICC = 0.83). Age and education, but not sex, were predictors of TLS scores. The TLS optimally discriminated patients from HPs (AUC = 0.80) and successfully identified patients with an impaired TICS-L (AUC = 0.92). In patients, the TLS converged with TICS-L scores (p = 0.016). DISCUSSION The TLS is a valid, reliable, normed and clinically feasible telephone-based screener for language impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Nicolò Aiello
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
| | - Veronica Pucci
- Dipartimento di Filosofia, Pedagogia e Psicologia Applicata (FISPPA), University of Padova, SociologiaPadua, Italy
- Human Inspired Technology Research Centre (HIT), University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Diana
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Corvaglia
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Aida Niang
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Mattiello
- Dipartimento di Filosofia, Pedagogia e Psicologia Applicata (FISPPA), University of Padova, SociologiaPadua, Italy
| | - Alice Naomi Preti
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giorgia Durante
- Dipartimento di Filosofia, Pedagogia e Psicologia Applicata (FISPPA), University of Padova, SociologiaPadua, Italy
| | - Adele Ravelli
- Dipartimento di Filosofia, Pedagogia e Psicologia Applicata (FISPPA), University of Padova, SociologiaPadua, Italy
| | - Lucia Consonni
- Dipartimento di Filosofia, Pedagogia e Psicologia Applicata (FISPPA), University of Padova, SociologiaPadua, Italy
| | - Carolina Guerra
- Dipartimento di Filosofia, Pedagogia e Psicologia Applicata (FISPPA), University of Padova, SociologiaPadua, Italy
| | - Adriana Delli Ponti
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gaia Sangalli
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Teresa Difonzo
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Scarano
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Perucca
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Zago
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Ildebrando Appollonio
- Neurology Section, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Sara Mondini
- Dipartimento di Filosofia, Pedagogia e Psicologia Applicata (FISPPA), University of Padova, SociologiaPadua, Italy
- Human Inspired Technology Research Centre (HIT), University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Nadia Bolognini
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
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Perucca L, Morello F, Robecchi Majnardi A. Coexistence of neurofibromatosis type I, multiple sclerosis, and ischemic stroke: A case report and literature review. SAGE Open Med Case Rep 2024; 12:2050313X241233191. [PMID: 38419798 PMCID: PMC10901064 DOI: 10.1177/2050313x241233191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type I and multiple sclerosis, when considered separately, are associated with a higher risk of cerebrovascular accident. The coexistence of neurofibromatosis type I and multiple sclerosis may lead to a further increase in cerebrovascular risk; however, this has not been reported in the literature. We report the case of a 37-year-old woman affected by both neurofibromatosis type I and multiple sclerosis: she was referred to our rehabilitation department because of a recent event of ischemic stroke. Moreover, we provide a comprehensive and updated review of all published cases reporting the coexistence of neurofibromatosis type I and multiple sclerosis to gather information regarding their association with cerebrovascular accidents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Perucca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Ospedale San Luca, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Morello
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Ospedale San Luca, Milano, Italy
| | - Antonio Robecchi Majnardi
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Ospedale San Luca, Milano, Italy
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Perucca L, Scarano S, Russo G, Robecchi Majnardi A, Caronni A. Fatigue may improve equally after balance and endurance training in multiple sclerosis: a randomised, crossover clinical trial. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1274809. [PMID: 38385033 PMCID: PMC10880192 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1274809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Fatigue and poor balance are frequent and severe problems in multiple sclerosis (MS) that may interact. Endurance training is known to be effective on fatigue. This study aims to test if balance training is more effective against MS fatigue. Methods A randomised crossover trial was run, recruiting 31 MS people (21 women; median age: 46 years, range: 30-64; median EDSS: 4, range: 2.5-5). Participants received balance and endurance training alternately (15 one-to-one sessions, 5 days/week) and were assessed before (T0), after (T1), and 30 days after treatment ended (T2). The Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) with scores linearised through Rasch analysis was the primary outcome (the lower the measure, the better the condition, i.e., the lower the fatigue symptoms). The Equiscale balance scale and posturography (EquiTest) were used to assess balance. Linear mixed-effects models with ANOVA were used for significance testing. Results Thirteen participants had no carryover effect and were included in the primary analysis. Fatigue significantly changed across the three time points (F2,58 = 16.0; p < 0.001), but no difference across treatments was found. Altogether, both treatments significantly improved the MFIS measure at T1 (95%CI: -1.24 logits; mean: -1.67 to -0.81 logits) and T2 (95%CI: -1.04; mean: -1.49 to -0.60) compared to T0 (95%CI: -0.51; mean: -0.95 to -0.08; p ≤ 0.001). Equiscale and posturography highlighted balance improvement after balance training but not after endurance training. Conclusion Balance and endurance training could similarly reduce fatigue in MS patients in the short term. However, only balance training also improved balance in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Perucca
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Ospedale San Luca, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Scarano
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Ospedale San Luca, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Russo
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Ospedale San Luca, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Robecchi Majnardi
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Ospedale San Luca, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Caronni
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Ospedale San Luca, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Bompani N, Bertella L, Barbieri V, Scarabel L, Scarpina F, Perucca L, Rossi P. The predictive role of fatigue and neuropsychological components on functional outcomes in COVID-19 after a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. J Int Med Res 2023; 51:3000605221148435. [PMID: 36650909 PMCID: PMC9869216 DOI: 10.1177/03000605221148435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To verify the impact of altered cognitive functioning and higher levels of mental fatigue, both reported after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), on rehabilitation treatment outcomes. METHODS In this real-practice retrospective pre-post intervention cohort study, cognitive functioning, measured through standardized neuropsychological measures, and individual levels of fatigue, depression and anxiety symptoms, were evaluated at admission to a rehabilitation program in individuals who had been hospitalized for COVID-19. The rehabilitation program effectiveness was measured through the Functional Independence Measure. RESULTS Among the patient sample (n = 66), 87.88% reported experiencing high levels of fatigue at admission, while 16.67% reported depressive symptoms, and 22.73% reported anxiety symptoms. After rehabilitation, the sample displayed a significant decrease in the level of disability, in both the motor and cognitive subscales. Neuropsychological and psychological functioning did not play a predictive role. The 45 patients who received mechanical ventilation during intensive care, representing 68.18% of the sample, benefited more from rehabilitation treatment. CONCLUSIONS The results support the importance of an early rehabilitation program after COVID-19 infection, independent of the initial neuropsychological and psychological functioning. Respiratory assistance may represent a crucial factor for short-term neuropsychological disease after-effects. Future studies on the long-term neuropsychological effect of COVID-19 infection on individual levels of disability are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Bompani
- Clinica Hildebrand, Centro di Riabilitazione, Brissago, Switzerland,IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, U.O. di Riabilitazione Neuromotoria di Auxologico ‘Capitanio’, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Bertella
- Clinica Hildebrand, Centro di Riabilitazione, Brissago, Switzerland,Laura Bertella, Clinica Hildebrand, Centro di Riabilitazione Brissago, Via Crodolo 18, 6614 Brissago, Switzerland.
| | | | - Luca Scarabel
- Clinica Hildebrand, Centro di Riabilitazione, Brissago, Switzerland,Clinica di Riabilitazione dell’Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, sede di Novaggio e sede di Fado, Switzerland
| | - Federica Scarpina
- ‘Rita Levi Montalcini’ Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Italy,IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, U.O. di Neurologia e Neuroriabilitazione, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo (VCO), Italy
| | - Laura Perucca
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, U.O. di Riabilitazione Neuromotoria di Auxologico ‘Capitanio’, Milan, Italy,Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Rossi
- Clinica Hildebrand, Centro di Riabilitazione, Brissago, Switzerland
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Barbieri V, Scarabel L, Bertella L, Scarpina F, Schiavone N, Perucca L, Rossi P. Evaluation of the predictive factors of the short-term effects of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation in COVID-19 survivors. J Int Med Res 2022; 50:3000605221138843. [PMID: 36448484 PMCID: PMC9716619 DOI: 10.1177/03000605221138843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Functional impairments after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) constitute a major concern in rehabilitative settings; however, evidence assessing the efficacy of rehabilitation programs is lacking. The aim of this study was to verify the clinical characteristics that may represent useful predictors of the short-term effectiveness of multidisciplinary rehabilitation. METHODS In this real-practice retrospective pre-post intervention cohort study, the short-term effectiveness of a multidisciplinary patient-tailored rehabilitation program was assessed through normalized variations in the Functional Independence Measure in post-acute care patients who had overcome severe COVID-19. Biochemical markers, motor and nutritional characteristics, and the level of comorbidity were evaluated as predictors of functional outcome. Length of stay in the rehabilitation ward was also considered. RESULTS Following rehabilitation, all participants (n = 53) reported a significant decrease in the level of disability in both motor and cognitive functioning. However, neither motor and nutritional characteristics nor comorbidities played a significant role in predicting the overall positive change registered after rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS The results support the existing sparse evidence addressing the importance of an early rehabilitation program for patients who received intensive care and post-acute care due to severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Barbieri
- Clinica Hildebrand, Centro di Riabilitazione Brissago, Brissago, Switzerland,IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, U.O. di Riabilitazione Neuromotoria Auxologico ‘Capitanio’, Milan, Italy,Valentina Barbieri, Clinica Hildebrand, Centro di Riabilitazione Brissago, Via Crodolo 18, 6614 Brissago, Switzerland.
| | - Luca Scarabel
- Clinica Hildebrand, Centro di Riabilitazione Brissago, Brissago, Switzerland,Cliniche di Riabilitazione Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (CREOC), Novaggio and Faido, Switzerland
| | - Laura Bertella
- Clinica Hildebrand, Centro di Riabilitazione Brissago, Brissago, Switzerland
| | - Federica Scarpina
- ‘Rita Levi Montalcini’ Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, , Turin, Italy,IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, U.O. di Neurologia e Neuroriabilitazione, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo (VCO), Italy
| | - Nicola Schiavone
- Cliniche di Riabilitazione Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (CREOC), Novaggio and Faido, Switzerland
| | - Laura Perucca
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, U.O. di Riabilitazione Neuromotoria Auxologico ‘Capitanio’, Milan, Italy,Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Rossi
- Clinica Hildebrand, Centro di Riabilitazione Brissago, Brissago, Switzerland
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Scarano S, Rota V, Tesio L, Perucca L, Robecchi Majnardi A, Caronni A. Balance Impairment in Fahr’s Disease: Mixed Signs of Parkinsonism and Cerebellar Disorder. A Case Study. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:832170. [PMID: 35355583 PMCID: PMC8959384 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.832170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Fahr’s disease is a rare idiopathic degenerative disease characterized by calcifications in the brain, and has also been associated with balance impairment. However, a detailed analysis of balance in these patients has not been performed. A 69-year-old woman with Fahr’s disease presented with a long-lasting subjective imbalance. Balance was analyzed using both clinical (EquiScale, Timed Up and Go test, and Dizziness Handicap Inventory-short form) and instrumented tests (the sway of the body center of mass during quiet, perturbed, and self-perturbed stance, and the peak curvature of the center of mass during single stance while walking on a force-treadmill). The patient’s balance was normal during clinical tests and walking. However, during standing, a striking impairment in vestibular control of balance emerged. The balance behavior displayed mixed parkinsonian (e.g., slowness and reduced amplitude of movement) and cerebellar (e.g., increased sway during standing in all conditions and decomposition of movement) features, with a discrepancy between the high severity of the static and the low severity of the dynamic balance impairment. The balance impairment characteristics outlined in this study could help neurologists and physiatrists detect, stage, and treat this rare condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Scarano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Ospedale San Luca, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Stefano Scarano,
| | - Viviana Rota
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Ospedale San Luca, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Tesio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Ospedale San Luca, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Perucca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Ospedale San Luca, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Robecchi Majnardi
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Ospedale San Luca, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Caronni
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Ospedale San Luca, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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Ontivero M, Martínez Carretero E, Perucca L. Clasificación de humedales de montaña (Vegas) en los Andes Centrales de Argentina. Bol Soc Argent Bot 2022. [DOI: 10.31055/1851.2372.v57.n1.33884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introducción y objetivos: El objetivo de este trabajo fue clasificar las vegas en los Andes Centrales entre los 28° y 53°S, con base en la geomorfología y la hidrología. Además, se buscó caracterizar las vegas del área de estudio en base a la superficie, altura y pendiente según tipología.
M&M: La determinación de las distintas tipologías se realizó en base a un enfoque biofísico integrado a distintas escalas espaciales, donde se identificó las vegas y se determinó su vinculación con la hidrología y geomorfología. Se determinaron los tipos de escurrimientos dominantes y las unidades geomorfológicas. Se utilizaron imágenes satelitales ALOS- AVNIR-2, Landsat 5 TM y datos de campo.
Resultados: Se identificaron 304 vegas que están determinadas por la unidad geomorfológica (planicies fluviales, abanico aluvial, ladera, piedemonte indiferenciado, depresión sin descarga superficial con o sin agua y falla) y el tipo de escurrimiento dominante (superficial lineal, subsuperficial mantiforme y subsuperficial mantiforme a superficial lineal). Se reconocen cuatro tipologías de vegas: Ribera, Ladera, Depresión y Falla. La tipología de Ribera y de Ladera fueron las dominantes en cuanto a número y superficie. La altura y la pendiente no resultaron diferentes entre tipologías.
Conclusiones: Las vegas en los Andes Centrales responden a 4 tipologías: Ribera, Falla, Ladera y Depresión. Existe una estrecha relación entre las vegas, la geomorfología y el escurrimiento dominante, lo que permite clasificarlas y analizar distintas medidas de manejo. Los resultados obtenidos son un aporte al estudio de ecosistemas de alto valor ecológico y socio-económico en la región.
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Giurgola S, Casati C, Stampatori C, Perucca L, Mattioli F, Vallar G, Bolognini N. Abnormal multisensory integration in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis. Exp Brain Res 2022; 240:953-968. [PMID: 35094114 PMCID: PMC8918188 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06310-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Temporal Binding Window (TBW) represents a reliable index of efficient multisensory integration process, which allows individuals to infer which sensory inputs from different modalities pertain to the same event. TBW alterations have been reported in some neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders and seem to negatively affects cognition and behavior. So far, it is still unknown whether deficits of multisensory integration, as indexed by an abnormal TBW, are present even in Multiple Sclerosis. We addressed this issue by testing 25 participants affected by relapsing–remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) and 30 age-matched healthy controls. Participants completed a simultaneity judgment task (SJ2) to assess the audio-visual TBW; two unimodal SJ2 versions were used as control tasks. Individuals with RRMS showed an enlarged audio-visual TBW (width range = from − 166 ms to + 198 ms), as compared to healthy controls (width range = − 177/ + 66 ms), thus showing an increased tendency to integrate temporally asynchronous visual and auditory stimuli. Instead, simultaneity perception of unimodal (visual or auditory) events overall did not differ from that of controls. These results provide first evidence of a selective deficit of multisensory integration in individuals affected by RRMS, besides the well-known motor and cognitive impairments. The reduced multisensory temporal acuity is likely caused by a disruption of the neural interplay between different sensory systems caused by multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Giurgola
- Department of Psychology and NeuroMI, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Carlotta Casati
- Neuropsychology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Neurorehabilitation Sciences, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Laura Perucca
- Neurorehabilitation Sciences, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Flavia Mattioli
- Neuropsychology Unit, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vallar
- Department of Psychology and NeuroMI, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Neuropsychology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Bolognini
- Department of Psychology and NeuroMI, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Neuropsychology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
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Perucca L, Robecchi Majnardi A, Frau S, Scarano S. Normative Data for the NeuroCom ® Sensory Organization Test in Subjects Aged 80-89 Years. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:761262. [PMID: 34867246 PMCID: PMC8641293 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.761262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is known to increase the risk of falling. In older people, whose share in the total population is rising sharply, the Sensory Organization Test (SOT, Equitest NeuroCom) is a useful tool during rehabilitation and in clinical research for assessing postural stability, risk of falling, and balance improvement. Normative data for the SOT in the healthy population older than 79 years have not been previously published. We recruited 53 recreationally active healthy subjects aged 80 years and older from the general population in a cross-sectional study. We presented the normative data for SOT for the 80–84 and 85–89 years groups. Our results showed that the “vestibular” balance control tended to be affected by aging more than the vision and proprioception-based systems. A striking reduction in performance after the age of 85 years was observed. These findings will be useful for clinical and research purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Perucca
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Frau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Scarano
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Russo C, Veronelli L, Casati C, Monti A, Perucca L, Ferraro F, Corbo M, Vallar G, Bolognini N. Explicit motor sequence learning after stroke: a neuropsychological study. Exp Brain Res 2021; 239:2303-2316. [PMID: 34091696 PMCID: PMC8282572 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-021-06141-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Motor learning interacts with and shapes experience-dependent cerebral plasticity. In stroke patients with paresis of the upper limb, motor recovery was proposed to reflect a process of re-learning the lost/impaired skill, which interacts with rehabilitation. However, to what extent stroke patients with hemiparesis may retain the ability of learning with their affected limb remains an unsolved issue, that was addressed by this study. Nineteen patients, with a cerebrovascular lesion affecting the right or the left hemisphere, underwent an explicit motor learning task (finger tapping task, FTT), which was performed with the paretic hand. Eighteen age-matched healthy participants served as controls. Motor performance was assessed during the learning phase (i.e., online learning), as well as immediately at the end of practice, and after 90 min and 24 h (i.e., retention). Results show that overall, as compared to the control group, stroke patients, regardless of the side (left/right) of the hemispheric lesion, do not show a reliable practice-dependent improvement; consequently, no retention could be detected in the long-term (after 90 min and 24 h). The motor learning impairment was associated with subcortical damage, predominantly affecting the basal ganglia; conversely, it was not associated with age, time elapsed from stroke, severity of upper-limb motor and sensory deficits, and the general neurological condition. This evidence expands our understanding regarding the potential of post-stroke motor recovery through motor practice, suggesting a potential key role of basal ganglia, not only in implicit motor learning as previously pointed out, but also in explicit finger tapping motor tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Russo
- Department of Psychology and Milan Center for Neuroscience-NeuroMi, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
| | - Laura Veronelli
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa di Cura Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlotta Casati
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Monti
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa di Cura Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Perucca
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferraro
- Riabilitazione Specialistica Neuromotoria - Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, ASST "Carlo Poma" di Mantova - Presidio di Riabilitazione Multifunzionale di Bozzolo, Mantua, Italy
| | - Massimo Corbo
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa di Cura Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vallar
- Department of Psychology and Milan Center for Neuroscience-NeuroMi, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,Laboratory of Neuropsychology, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Bolognini
- Department of Psychology and Milan Center for Neuroscience-NeuroMi, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,Laboratory of Neuropsychology, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
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Abstract
The authors evaluated the short-term (within-day, between-days) repeatability of center of pressure (COP) displacements. COP sway area and speed were obtained in the morning and afternoon of two separate days, both with open (EO) and closed (EC) eyes, in 10 healthy adults. Agreement and variability among conditions were tested by ANOVA and Bland-Altman plots. Mode (EO/EC, area: p = .032; speed: p < .004), and day (day1/day2, area: p = .006; speed: p = .02) showed significant differences. The EC condition and the second test day showed the largest values, with medium-large effect sizes. Time-of-day did not influence COP displacements. Speed had better agreement than area (Bland-Altman plots). COP displacements were well reproducible within-day, but had significant between-days variations. COP assessments should be performed in the same session.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Lovecchio
- a Functional Anatomy Research Center (FARC), Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy
| | - Matteo Zago
- a Functional Anatomy Research Center (FARC), Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy
| | - Laura Perucca
- b Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy.,c Unità Clinica e Laboratorio di Ricerche di Riabilitazione Neuromotoria, Ospedale San Luca, Istituto Auxologico Italiano-IRCCS , Milano , Italy
| | - Chiarella Sforza
- a Functional Anatomy Research Center (FARC), Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy.,d Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council , Segrate , Italy
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Bersano A, Morbin M, Ciceri E, Bedini G, Berlit P, Herold M, Saccucci S, Fugnanesi V, Nordmeyer H, Faragò G, Savoiardo M, Taroni F, Carriero M, Boncoraglio Giorgio B, Perucca L, Caputi L, Parati Eugenio A, Kraemer M. The diagnostic challenge of Divry van Bogaert and Sneddon Syndrome: Report of three cases and literature review. J Neurol Sci 2016; 364:77-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2016.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 02/27/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Caronni A, Sciumé L, Ferpozzi V, Blasi V, Castellano A, Falini A, Perucca L, Cerri G. Mirror Movements After Stroke Suggest Facilitation From Nonprimary Motor Cortex: A Case Presentation. PM R 2015; 8:479-83. [PMID: 26514789 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2015.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Revised: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
When stroke occurs in adulthood, mirror movements (MMs; involuntary movements occurring in 1 hand when performing unilateral movements with the contralateral hand) in the paretic hand rarely occur. We present a case of an apparently healthy 54-year-old man presenting with MMs in his left (nondominant) hand. Further evaluation revealed diminished strength and dexterity in left hand, increased spinal excitability, decreased corticospinal excitability, occurrence of ipsilateral motor responses, enlarged cortical motor representation, and imaging findings consistent with a previously undiagnosed right-subcortical stroke. MMs and ipsilateral motor responses may reflect the increased spinal motor neurons' excitability sustained by the spared nonprimary ipsilesional motor areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Caronni
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa di Cura del Policlinico, Via Dezza 48, 20144 Milan, Italy(∗).
| | - Luciana Sciumé
- Residency Program in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy(†)
| | - Valentina Ferpozzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano Italy; Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy(‡)
| | - Valeria Blasi
- Scientific Institute and University, Ospedale San Raffaele, Neuroradiology, CERMAC, Milano, Italy(§)
| | - Antonella Castellano
- Scientific Institute and University, Ospedale San Raffaele, Neuroradiology, CERMAC, Milano, Italy(‖)
| | - Andrea Falini
- Scientific Institute and University, Ospedale San Raffaele, Neuroradiology, CERMAC, Milano, Italy(¶)
| | - Laura Perucca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy; Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milano, Italy(#)
| | - Gabriella Cerri
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano Italy; Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy(∗∗)
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Bernardi NF, Cioffi MC, Ronchi R, Maravita A, Bricolo E, Zigiotto L, Perucca L, Vallar G. Improving left spatial neglect through music scale playing. J Neuropsychol 2015; 11:135-158. [DOI: 10.1111/jnp.12078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2014] [Revised: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Francesco Bernardi
- Department of Psychology; University of Milano-Bicocca; Italy
- Department of Psychology; McGill University; Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Maria Cristina Cioffi
- Department of Psychology; University of Milano-Bicocca; Italy
- Department of Psychology; Goldsmiths University; London UK
| | - Roberta Ronchi
- Neuropsychology Laboratory; Italian Auxological Institute; Milano Italy
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience; Brain Mind Institute; School of Life Sciences; Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne; Switzerland
| | - Angelo Maravita
- Department of Psychology; University of Milano-Bicocca; Italy
| | | | - Luca Zigiotto
- Department of Psychology; University of Milano-Bicocca; Italy
- Neuropsychology Laboratory; Italian Auxological Institute; Milano Italy
| | - Laura Perucca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health; University of Milano; Italy
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences; IRCCS Italian Auxological Institute; Milano Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vallar
- Department of Psychology; University of Milano-Bicocca; Italy
- Neuropsychology Laboratory; Italian Auxological Institute; Milano Italy
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience; Brain Mind Institute; School of Life Sciences; Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne; Switzerland
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Tesio L, Simone A, Grzeda MT, Ponzio M, Dati G, Zaratin P, Perucca L, Battaglia MA. Funding Medical Research Projects: Taking into Account Referees' Severity and Consistency through Many-Faceted Rasch Modeling of Projects' Scores. J Appl Meas 2015; 16:129-152. [PMID: 26075663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The funding policy of research projects often relies on scores assigned by a panel of experts (referees). The non-linear nature of raw scores and the severity and inconsistency of individual raters may generate unfair numeric project rankings. Rasch measurement (many-facets version, MFRM) provides a valid alternative to scoring. MFRM was applied to the scores achieved by 75 research projects on multiple sclerosis sent in response to a previous annual call by FISM-Italian Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis. This allowed to simulate, a posteriori, the impact of MFRM on the funding scenario. The applications were each scored by 2 to 4 independent referees (total = 131) on a 10-item, 0-3 rating scale called FISM-ProQual-P. The rotation plan assured "connection" of all pairs of projects through at least 1 shared referee.The questionnaire fulfilled satisfactorily the stringent criteria of Rasch measurement for psychometric quality (unidimensionality, reliability and data-model fit). Arbitrarily, 2 acceptability thresholds were set at a raw score of 21/30 and at the equivalent Rasch measure of 61.5/100, respectively. When the cut-off was switched from score to measure 8 out of 18 acceptable projects had to be rejected, while 15 rejected projects became eligible for funding. Some referees, of various severity, were grossly inconsistent (z-std fit indexes less than -1.9 or greater than 1.9). The FISM-ProQual-P questionnaire seems a valid and reliable scale. MFRM may help the decision-making process for allocating funds to MS research projects but also in other fields. In repeated assessment exercises it can help the selection of reliable referees. Their severity can be steadily calibrated, thus obviating the need to connect them with other referees assessing the same projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Tesio
- Luigi Tesio, Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Via Giuseppe Mercalli 32, 20122 Milano, Italy,
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Perucca L, Caronni A, Vidmar G, Tesio L. Electromyographic latency of postural evoked responses from the leg muscles during EquiTest Computerised Dynamic Posturography: Reference data on healthy subjects. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2014; 24:126-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2013.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2013] [Revised: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Simone A, Rota V, Tesio L, Perucca L. Generic ABILHAND questionnaire can measure manual ability across a variety of motor impairments. Int J Rehabil Res 2011; 34:131-40. [DOI: 10.1097/mrr.0b013e328343d4d3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Tesio L, Rota V, Perucca L. The 3D trajectory of the body centre of mass during adult human walking: Evidence for a speed–curvature power law. J Biomech 2011; 44:732-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2010] [Revised: 10/13/2010] [Accepted: 10/25/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Fortis P, Maravita A, Gallucci M, Ronchi R, Grassi E, Senna I, Olgiati E, Perucca L, Banco E, Posteraro L, Tesio L, Vallar G. Rehabilitating patients with left spatial neglect by prism exposure during a visuomotor activity. Neuropsychology 2010; 24:681-97. [PMID: 21038964 DOI: 10.1037/a0019476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Adaptation to prisms displacing the visual scene rightward is a therapeutic tool for left unilateral spatial neglect (USN). We aimed at comparing the effects of the classic adaptation procedure (repeated pointing toward visual targets, control treatment, C), with those of a novel adaptation method, involving ecological visuomotor activities (experimental treatment, E). METHOD In 10 right-brain-damaged USN patients, each treatment was given for 1 week, with a crossover design, for a total of 20 sessions, twice per day. USN was assessed by cancellation, reading, and drawing tasks, and by a standardized scale. Neurological severity was assessed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) stroke scale (Brott et al., 1989), disability by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scale. RESULTS The 2-week treatments (EC, CE) were equally effective, improving both USN, confirming previous reports (Frassinetti, Angeli, Meneghello, Avanzi, & Làdavas, 2002) and, importantly, disability. The improvement was independent of baseline performance, duration of disease, and neurological severity. Recovery took place after the first week, continued in the second week, and was stable at the follow-up of 3 months. The improvement of USN, measured by cancellation performance, and, in part, that of disability, measured through the FIM scale, were mediated by the size of the leftward aftereffects, suggesting a causal relationship between prism exposure and recovery. The E protocol was better tolerated. CONCLUSIONS Daily life visuomotor activities, associated with prism exposure, are a useful tool for rehabilitating USN patients. This new treatment may widen the compliance with prism exposure treatments and their feasibility within home-based programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Fortis
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca and Neuropsychological Laboratory, S. Luca Hospital, Italian Auxological Institute, Milan, Italy
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Tesio L, Rota V, Chessa C, Perucca L. The 3D path of body centre of mass during adult human walking on force treadmill. J Biomech 2010; 43:938-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.10.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2009] [Revised: 10/18/2009] [Accepted: 10/31/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Franchignoni F, Giordano A, Ferriero G, Orlandini D, Amoresano A, Perucca L. Measuring mobility in people with lower limb amputation: Rasch analysis of the mobility section of the prosthesis evaluation questionnaire. J Rehabil Med 2007; 39:138-44. [PMID: 17351696 DOI: 10.2340/16501977-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the psychometric properties of the Mobility Section of the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ-MS). DESIGN A postal survey, including self-report assessment of prosthetic capability and performance with the PEQ-MS and the Locomotor Capabilities Index, and of other variables associated with prosthetic wear and use. The PEQ-MS data underwent Rasch analysis for rating scale diagnostics and a reliability and validity study. PATIENTS A total of 123 subjects (mean age 54 years) who had undergone lower limb amputation in the previous 5 years and who had completed rehabilitation and a prosthetic training programme. RESULTS According to Rasch analysis and expert review, some response categories of the PEQ-MS (13 items, 11-level numeric rating scale) were collapsed and one item was deleted. The remaining 12 items fitted to the Rasch model and created a revised scale with a 5-level response format, the PEQ-MS12/5. The PEQ-MS12/5 demonstrated good reliability (person-separation reliability = 0.95, item-separation reliability = 0.98) and internal construct validity. Moreover, the correlation with the Locomotor Capabilities Index (rs = 0.78) and with prosthetic wear and use (rs range 0.41-0.59) supported the convergent validity of the PEQ-MS12/5. CONCLUSION The new PEQ-MS12/5 presents good psychometric characteristics for measuring mobility in people with lower limb amputations. These preliminary results provide an already applicable instrument and a solid basis for further validation studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Franchignoni
- Unit of Occupational Rehabilitation and Ergonomics, Rehabilitation Institute of Veruno, Veruno, Italy.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare FIM instrument ratings between Italy and the United States. DESIGN This study utilized 169,835 United States and 4,536 Italian FIM instrument records for stroke with the left side of the body affected, stroke with the right side of the body affected, and orthopedic conditions. RESULTS Case-mix, patient age, and admission and discharge FIM instrument scores were similar. The delays between onset of disability and admission to rehabilitation and lengths of stay in rehabilitation were 2-4 times longer in Italy. In Italy, some 88-95% of the subjects were discharged to the community vs. 74-88% in the United States. Hierarchies of FIM instrument ratings across the motor and cognitive items were similar, but there were interesting differences. The hierarchical patterns showed that dressing, bathing, perineal hygiene, and tub or shower transfer were relatively more difficult in Italy compared with the Unites States, whereas walking was easier in Italy compared to the United States. CONCLUSION The Italian health care payment system offers less incentive for early discharges from acute care and rehabilitation. In Italy, nursing homes are less accessible, whereas family support is more available. Apparently less intensive treatment is applied in Italy, where a minimum time per day for rehabilitation services is not mandatory for payment. Occupational therapy is not used in Italy and the focus is more on physical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Tesio
- Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Department of Rehabilitation and the Unit of Research, Functional Assessment and Quality Assurance in Rehabilitation, Pavia, Italy
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Abstract
A new item response scale is presented, which measures the severity of self-reported balance deficits. The scale, DHIsf, is a short form of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory. The scale was constructed and validated by Rasch analysis. Rasch analysis was applied to rescore or remove any items misfitting, redundant, or off-target, until an optimal instrument was obtained. The 25-item, 3-level Dizziness Handicap Inventory was, thus, reduced to the 13-item, 2-level DHIsf. The retained items explore the domains of eye/head movements, full body activities, and mood alterations. Data were collected from 55 outpatients (63 +/- 13 yr; 43 females) attending otoneurological rehabilitation referral at a general hospital because of complaints of dizziness or imbalance. They were fully independent in ambulation and showed no evidence of major neurological or orthopedic diseases. Objective tests included brain computed tomography, sovraaorctic Doppler sonography, craniocorpography, static posturography, and nystagmography. The findings were categorized as pathologic, borderline, or normal. At least one examination was borderline or abnormal in 42 patients. The DHIsf was well targeted on this sample, with a mean score of 5.7/13 (standard deviation, 2.8; median, 5; range, 1-13). The Rasch statistics showed that the 13 items evenly fitted a hierarchy of difficulty within a homogeneous construct. A moderate but significant variance explanation of DHIsf measures was provided by a two-way analysis of variance model, with craniocorpography and nystagmography as independent categorical variables (r2 = 0.15; P = 0.018). When the clinical tests were individually taken into account, their outcome (dichotomized as abnormal v borderline or normal) could not be predicted by either of the DHIsf measures or raw scores (logistic regression). The DHIsf compares favorably with the original Dizziness Handicap Inventory, shows some consistency with the instrumental findings, and provides original information on the severity of imbalance syndromes, as it is seen from the patient's perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Tesio
- Department of Rehabilitation, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
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Tesio L, Perucca L, Franchignoni FP, Battaglia MA. A short measure of balance in multiple sclerosis: validation through Rasch analysis. Funct Neurol 1997; 12:255-65. [PMID: 9439943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Ambulatory patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently present with poor balance. Neither static nor dynamic posturography explore balance during self-paced movements in real-life activities, when fall is most probable. Behavioural item-response scales can easily represent these activities. However, testing many items can easily cause fatigue in MS patients, thus distorting their scores. On the other hand, the lower the number of items, the lower the precision of the cumulative score and its reliability. A new short instrument was derived from existing ones (the Tinetti and the Berg balance scales). A preliminary 10-item version encompassed sit/stand manoeuvres, standing with eyes open and closed, standing with eyes closed and head extended, leaning forward while standing, picking up an object from floor, resisting nudges on the sternum, turning around, tandem stance. The instrument was administered 1-3 times to 55 MS patients (103 observations overall), all of them able to walk autonomously for at least 20 metres. The Rasch Analysis was adopted to explore the psychometric validity of the scale. Two items (Stand-to-sit and Standing with eyes open) were deleted, as they were too easy and thus uninformative. The remaining 8 items made up a scale (called EQUI-SCALE) complying with the requirements of unidimensionality and reliability. The item scores remained stable in a sub-sample of 24 patients tested before and after ten 1-hour exercise sessions, thus supporting the homogeneity of the items.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Tesio
- Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Department of Research, Milan, Italy
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Tesio L, Franchignoni FP, Perucca L, Porta GL. The influence of age on length of stay, functional independence and discharge destination of rehabilitation inpatients in Italy. Disabil Rehabil 1996; 18:502-8. [PMID: 8902422 DOI: 10.3109/09638289609166036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Advanced age in itself does not predict a poor functional outcome or a longer length of stay in rehabilitation units. Seven hundred and sixty-four adult cases were analysed, from 14 post-acute rehabilitation facilities throughout Italy. Data came from the national database run by the agency distributing the Italian version of an internationally validated scale of disability, the FIM [symbol: see text] sm (Functional Independence Measure). The FIM is an 18-item scale rating independence in the domains of selfcare, sphincter control, mobility, locomotion, communication and social cognition. The total FIM score may range from 18 to 126 (higher score = greater independence). Patients were classified with respect to the cut-off age of 75 years (76+ and 75-, mean age 82 and 57 years, n = 203 and 561, 27% and 73% of the cases, respectively). The median interval between onset of disability and admission to the facility (onset-to-admission delay, OAD) was 36 and 45 days in the 76+ and the 75- group, respectively (p < 0.001). Mean admission FIM score was 70 (+/- 28) in the 76+ and 71 (+/- 27) in the 75- group. Discharge FIM scores were 84 +/- 29 and 93 +/- 26, respectively (p < 0.001). Median length of stay (LOS) was 34 days in the 76+ and 41 days in the 75- group, respectively (p < 0.005). The 76+ and 75- groups were discharged home in 86% and 90% of the cases, respectively (p = 0.053). The results suggest that inpatient rehabilitation is substantially effective and efficient for older as well as for younger patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Tesio
- RFQA Department, Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, IRCCS, Clinica del Lavoro e della Riabilitazione, Milan, Italy
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